University of Albany Cross Country Squads Sweep Team Titles at Monmouth XC Kick-Off for Third Straight Year - UAlbany Sports 2010

Lincroft, N.J. - Sophomore Alex Leuchanka won the men's individual title for the second straight season and freshman Kathryn Fanning placed second in the women's field to lead the UAlbany cross country teams to a clean sweep of the team titles at the Monmouth XC Kick-Off for the third straight year on Saturday, Sept. 4 at Thompson Park.

Leuchanka crossed the finish line first among 88 runners in 18:28.1 to lead the UAlbany men's team. He was closely followed by teammate Paul Lagno, who navigated the 6,000-meter course in 18:38.6. Ethan Clary placed fourth in 18:49.8, while transfer Chris Burke, who was an All-American and national champion at SUNY Delhi (6th, 19:00.1) and Sean Halpin (7th, 19:00.4) rounded out the team's top five.

Fanning, who began running cross country as a senior in high school, finished her first collegiate race with a runner-up finish among 78 competitors by hitting the tape in 14:20.0, which was less than two seconds behind the winner, to pace UAlbany's women's squad. She was directly followed by Emily Finnegan and Ada Lauterbach, who placed third and fourth with marks of 14:40.8 and 14:46.7, respectively, on the 4,000-meter circuit. Brianne Bellon (6th, 14:58.9) and Miranda McConnell (15:11) completed the top five for the squad.

The UAlbany cross country teams will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 11 when they travel to Franklin Park to compete at the Boston College Invitational.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information